Prophy Angle Partial-Cylinder Splatter Guard for Clear Tooth Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prophy angles fail to effectively reduce splatter while maintaining a clear view of the teeth during polishing, often obstructing the dental hygienist's view with bulky splatter guards or incomplete shielding.

Innovation Solution

A prophy angle with a wide, arcuate splatter guard that spans a minor arc around the prophy cup, minimizing obstruction and allowing for improved visibility, secured to the housing with a support fin and made of flexible material to accommodate the cup's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a bulky splatter guard is used to reduce splatter, then splatter reduction is improved, but the view of the teeth is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesplatterVSAvoidview clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The splatter guard is divided into multiple discrete shields rather than using a single bulky enclosure. Each shield is positioned to protect specific areas while leaving gaps that maintain visibility of the teeth and working area, thus reducing splatter without completely obstructing the view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the splatter guard have different degrees of enclosure. The shields are strategically positioned to provide protection where needed while maintaining open views in critical areas. The guard structure varies locally from fully enclosed to partially open based on the operational requirements of different zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fully enclosing shield is used to reduce splatter, then splatter reduction is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesplatterVSAvoidshield structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield structure is segmented into multiple independent shields that can be separately positioned and adjusted. This segmentation reduces the complexity compared to designing and manufacturing a single fully enclosing shield while maintaining effective splatter protection through strategic placement of individual shields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing complete enclosure, the shields offer partial protection that is sufficient for the intended purpose. The design uses just enough shielding to reduce splatter effectively without over-engineering a fully enclosing structure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12402981B1Prophy angle with splatter guard

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 PAC DENT INC

AI summary

A prophy angle with a splatter guard. The splatter guard is provided in the form of a partial cylinder extending along the side of the prophy cup.